Police in the Kenyan city of Kisumu over the weekend arrested six suspects in a crackdown on illicit alcohol distribution within the lakeside area.
The police in a statement said they have also intercepted 280 litres of chang’aa following a tip-off from members of the public about a dealer supplying chang’aa in Manyatta area.
“We received information that there was a dealer who normally brings chang’aa within the Manyatta area. We mobilised our team and this morning we managed to arrest the main suspect with 280 litres of pure chang’aa being ferried from Busia to Kisumu,” Kisumu Central Sub-county Police Commander Edward Ndirangu told reporters.
The suspect, identified as Evelyn Auma Odol, was arrested at her residence as the illicit brew was being transported for redistribution within the city.
According to the commander, the illicit brew was being repackaged into smaller containers upon arrival in Kisumu before being distributed to various outlets.
“We have the dealer and five other suspects who assisted her in redistribution. In total, they are six, and they will be arraigned in court on Monday,” he said.
Ndirangu added that police also impounded a Toyota Fielder registration number KDB 654W, which the officers believe was being used to ferry the illicit brew from Busia.
The vehicle, he said, may be linked to the main suspect.
Ndirangu said samples of the seized brew will be forwarded to the government chemist for verification before the suspects are formally charged in court.
The rest of the consignment, he said, will be destroyed upon court orders, adding that the operation was part of an ongoing nationwide crackdown on illicit brews and drug trafficking, in line with directives issued by President William Ruto.
MG/as/APA